What effect would wolves have on cougar and bear populations?
Wolves may compete directly with cougar because elk and deer are the primary prey for both species. While wolves select elk whenever possible and deer is the primary prey of cougars, competition between wolves and cougars may be most intense during winter when the prey species are concentrated. Potential exists for wolves to displace cougars from prey because the cats do not consume their prey quickly. Wolves may also kill cougar. Wolves are known to kill black bears and may displace them from deer or elk kills. Black bear do not make up a significant potion of wolf diet but wolves will kill and eat bears if the opportunity arises.
